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Novak Djokovic was in a good mood after reaching the quarterfinals

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KAI PFAFFENBACH / REUTERS

White vest preserved, record broken: Top favorite Novak Djokovic continues to play his way through the French Open without losing a set and is the first player to reach the quarterfinals in Paris for the 17th time. A little later, his great rival for the title, the Spanish world number one Carlos Alcaraz, also achieved this.

Grand Slam record winner Djokovic also effortlessly defeated unseeded Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 and can continue to dream of his third title in Roland Garros after 2016 and 2021. Alcaraz also won 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 against Italian Lorenzo Musetti and needed only 2:08 hours to do so.

Due to his success, Djokovic has reached the quarter-finals in Paris more often than record winner Rafael Nadal (14 wins) and can continue to hope for his 23rd title at a Grand Slam tournament, leaving the Spaniard behind. On Sunday afternoon, he made short work of Varillas in less than two hours.

The 36-year-old will meet Russian Olympic finalist Karen Khachanov in the round of the top eight on Tuesday, who had previously prevailed in four sets against Lorenzo Sonego from Italy. Alcaraz will face the winner of the match between Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece and Austrian Sebastian Ofner.

Already in the semi-finals there would be a duel between the two top favorites.

Ukrainian Svitolina wins over Russian Kassatkina

In the women's event, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina reached the quarterfinals in her first Grand Slam tournament since the birth of her daughter. In the duel with the Russian Darja Kassatkina, the 28-year-old prevailed 6: 4, 7: 6 (7: 5) on Sunday.

Svitolina had never made it further than the round of the top eight in Paris before. She and her French husband Gaël Monfils had become parents last year. "I didn't dream of that when I became a mother in October," she said after the game.

After the round of 16 game, Svitolina did not shake hands with her Russian opponent as usual. Due to the Russian war of aggression, Ukrainian professionals refrain from shaking hands with their opponents from Russia and Belarus after the games, which is usually the case in tennis, and do not pose for joint photos.

Svitolina had said before the game that this was following the example of the Ukrainian government. "We are Ukrainians, we are all united for one goal, for the goal of winning the war. And we're doing everything we can to make it happen." At the same time, she had emphasized her respect for Kasatkina, who had clearly criticized the war in the past. "I am grateful that Dasha represents this position. That's what you expect from others. That's really brave of her," said Svitolina.

ngo/dpa/sid